Air vent and focusing screen support for bellows type cameras



Nov. 20, 1951 v. YAGER ETAL 2,575,902

AIR VENT AND FOCUSING SCREEN SUPPORT FOR BEL-LOWS TYPE CAMERAS Filed June 26, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet l FIG.2

49 43 45 296 290 289 ATTORNEYS Nov. 20, 195] v, YAGER m- 2,575,902

AIR VENT AND FOCUSING SCREEN SUPPORT FOR BELLOWS TYPE CAMERAS Filed June 26, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOPS l mrop X4652 40005 A/aaP/vfl/m/ flmiw ATTORNEYj Nov. 20, 1951 v. YAGER ETAL 2,575,902

AIR VENT AND FOCUSING SCREEN SUPPORT FOR BELLOWS TYPE CAMERAS Filed June 26, 1947 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS Nov. 20, 1951 v. YAGER ETAL 2,575,902

AIR VENT AND FOCUSING SCREEN SUPPORT FOR BELL-0W5 TYPE CAMERAS ATTORN EYS 1951 v. YAGER ETAL 2,575,902

AIR VENT AND FOCUSING SCREEN SUPPORT FOR BELLOWS TYPE CAMERAS Filed June 26, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 [44 14b 'lso 7, 15! I5 I50 |47 20 19s FIGZO 42 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\qsji '25 I N VE NTO 2S 1 t! 121 Mag. Wcroe V4656 I23 J/qc 'ae lx aaemflxw ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 20, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AIR VENT AND FOCUSING SCREEN SUPPORT FOR BELLOWS TYPE CAMERAS Victor Yager, Long Island City, and Jacob Woermann, Glendale, N. Y.

Application June 26, 1947, Serial No. 757,130

1 Claim.

1 This invention relates to improvements in cameras and more particularly to rigid metallic camera structures.

light sensitive supporting means.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a camera of the character described of a round lens support adapted to be quickly placed in operative position on, or removed from the camera front plate. The round lens support adapts itself with greater facility to the forming of a light-trap between said support and the front plate of the camera, and may be secured thereto or disengaged therefrom by means of a single readily accessible knob.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision in a camera of the character described,

of a discontinuous track which includes an accessory track and a bed track whereby the ac cessory track may be used with wide angle lenses, and the bed may be dropped when widerangle lenses are used.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision in a camera of the character described, of a ball and socket arrangement between the swing back adjusting rods and the casing of the camera, and means on said casing for clamping said rods in any adjusted position.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a camera, of a camera body, a drop bed hingedly connected thereto, link members pivotally connected to said bed, the connections therebetween including eccentric bushings for aligning said bed to exactly 90 degrees with the axis of the camera body, said eccentric bushings being free to be moved while the camera is being calibrated and being subsequently locked in the adjusted positions during said calibration, said links being adjustably connected to the camera body in a plurality of relations at least one of which positions said bed 90 degrees with respect to the vertical plane of the camera body.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon a study of the following specifications and the appended claim.

Referring now to the drawings which illustrate,

2 by way of example, one embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a side elevation partly broken away, of our new and improved camera showing novel features of the invention.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the camera shown in Figure 1, as seen from the right hand side of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the camera shown in Figures 1 and 2, with portions thereof broken away to show the structure and arrangement of some of my novel features;

' Figure 4 is an elevation of the camera of Figures 1 and 2, as seen from the left side of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of the camera as seen along the lines 55 of Figure 4, and showing the arrangement for allowing air to enter or leave the bellows.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view showing one of the link members and the arrangements between it and the camera body entering one end thereof and between it and the drop bed at the other end thereof.

Figure 7 is an elevation of the round lens support with a lens carried thereon;

Figure 8 is a sectional view as seen along the lines 8--8 of Figure 2 and showing the arrangement for supporting spring indexing clips on the front plate of the camera for holding the round lens support thereon and yet permitting it to be readily removed therefrom;

Figure 9 is a sectional view as seen along the lines 9-9 of Figure 2 and this view shows substantially the same kind of spring clips as those shown in Figure 8 with the exception that the one shown in Figure 9 is manually adjustable, and constitutes the operators means for detachably securing the round lens support on the front plate of the camera;

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along the lines Ill-l0 of Figure 3, and showing how the camera back supporting rods may be locked into any adjusted position by means of a thumb screw engaging a split ball mounted on the supporting rod;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of the camera showing a spring-loaded cantilever engaging the side arms, and tending to urge the camera bed outwardly from its closed position when the latter is released;

Figure 12 is a sectional elevation of the camera taken along the lines I2l2 of Figure 2;

Figure 13 is a rear elevation of the revolving back of the camera with the plate or film pack holder retaining plate removed and showing the arrangement for leveling the camera bed with the camera body;

Figure 18 is an elevation, partlyfin section,

taken along the lines I8--l 8 of Figurel;

Figure 19 is a sectional view takenalong the lines I9l9, of Figure 10, and show-ing i-the method of retaining the split ball in the body of the camera.

Figure 20 is a fragmentary view taken along the lines 28-29 of Figure 4, and showing details of the spring back and'ithe focusing hood.

Referring first to Fig. l, the camera has a box-like frame or body 20 carrying "a hinge 2! to which the cameraman is connected.

Secured to the camerabed, on oheside thereof, is a lug 23 which has a hole '24 formed there- :The m 23 has aheirtende'd portion at which has a slot "26 rormed therein parallel to the base of the lug and communicating-with the hole 24. b 1 V V Positioned 'in the .ho1e'24 is a bushing :21 which has an eccentric hole 28 formed'the'i'ein.

.A side arm 29 has a threaded hole therein which is engaged byashoulderedscrew 30 positioned the hole'28 (Figures land 17).

Positioned inside the casing 20 and 'o'irthe left-wall thereof, as seen' in Figure 2, is a flanged stud 3| which is adapted to be engaged by a notch 32 formed in the sidearm 29 when the camera bed is in a gho'rizontalfl'positio'n and adapted to be engagedby a notch 33 in said side arm when the camera bed is in a dropped position. A screw 34 passing through the extended portion of the lug 23 is adapted 'to secure the bushing 21 in the hole 24. In-assembling the camera the screw 34 is loose and leaves the bushing 2;! free to turn in "the hole 24 so that when the notch 32 engages the flanged stud 31, the camera bed 22 may be set square with the focal plane of the camera, and while so setting the bed the bushing 21 will rotate in the'hole 24 to 'a position corresponding to the level bed, after which the screw '34 may be tightened to clampthe bushing 2! in the adjusted position and thereafter whenever "the or to urge the'notch 33 into engagement with the stud '3! when the bed is to be dropped. 'inorder to 'eifect this urging, a spring 39 has one end connected tothe lever 36 at the point 39, and has its other endconnected to a stud cl mounted in the side wall of the casing 29 adjacent to the lever 36. The spring 39, via the lever 36 and the side arm '29, alsourges the camera bed upwardly from its closed position when the button 42 is moved upwardly, as seen in Figure 2, to release the bed in the manner shown in dot-dash lines, Figure 11.

Secured to the camera bed on the other side thereof is a corresponding lug 23a which cooperates with a corresponding side arm 29 a and which includes duplicates of theelements above described, and since these elements are the same they are designated by the same numerals followed by the letter a.

Mounted on the bed 22 are stationary parallel rails 43'a'nd 4 fliese rails are not only parallel tdeach other, but are parallel to the axis of the camera. movable rail 45 has a side groove formed therein which is engaged by the rail #3, and a second movable rail 46 has a side groove formed therein engaging the rail it. The

the rack '52.

movable rails 45 and 36 are joined together ing device'eQ having a lever 56 "by means of which the carriage may be clamped "against movement. Secured to the lower face of the imovable rail 45 is a rack 51 which may be seen in Figure 1. Likewise secured to the lower face of the movable rail 56 is a rack 52 which m'ay be seenin Figure 12.

Secured to the bed '22 by means of screws 53 adjacent to anotch 55 formed in the left edge of the bed 22, as seen in, Figure 3. is a bearing 5 Also secured to the bed '22 by means of'screws 56 adjacent to a notchifi'for'med in the upright edge of the bed 22, is "a bearing 51. Journaled in the bearings 54 and 51 is a shaft 59 which carries a pinion, not shown, but meshing with the rack 5i, and a second pinion 6B which meshes'with On the leftend of the shaft59, 'asseen in Figure .3, is' a knurled knob GR, and on the right end of the shaft is a knurled knob 62 so that by turning either knob'the movable carriage may be moved forward 0r backwards along the stationary rails 43 and M. A bracket '63 secured to the bed 22 by means of screws, one of which is shown at 64, spans and protects the shaft 59.

When the movable carriage is moved toward the camera body a point is'reached where the bridge member 47 contacts the bracket fiii and is stopped thereby. Likewise when the carriage is moved in a direction away from the camera body a'poirit is reached where the bridge member racemes 'in contact with the bracket 63 and thereby the outward movement of the carriage is stopped.

Referring now to Figure 18, the auxiliary camera bed is mounted on the lower or bottom side 65 of the'camera box 28 and includes stationary rails 66 and 67 in spaced parallel relation to each other with overhanging portions facing each other. These stationary rails may be secured to bossessuch as the boss as by means of screws 59. A slidable rail iii has a side groove therein which cooperates-with the stationary rail 66, and a like slidable rail H has an outside groove formed therein which cooperates with the stationary rail 67. The rails if} and it have a bridging plate '52 secured thereto to form a rigid slidable structure. The plate 12 also carries stop pins '13 and M to limit the extreme rearward movement o f-the lens carrying structure which will be presently described. A double-ended spring having arms I and I6 carry on their outer ends pressure shoes 11 and 18 respectively, and these pressure shoes bear against the lower surface of the plate I and tend to restrain the movement of this plate and the slidable rails which are movable therewith. The spring member is secured to the bottom side 65 of the camera by means of screws I9.

Positioned between the movable rails 45 and 46 of the carriage is a cross member 80 having a channel 8| formed therein. The channel member 80 has secured thereto on one end thereof a metallic plate 82 engaging a groove formed in the rail 45, and on the other end of the member 80 is secured a second metallic plate 83 which engages a groove formed in the movable rail member 46. Since these plates are longer than the width of the channel member 80, a substantial and rigid bearing is attained. Slidably mounted in the channel 8| is a base member 84 which has secured on one end thereof an upright member 85, and secured on the other end thereof a like upright member 86. The base member 84 has a longitudinal slot 81 formed therein, the length of which limits the lateral movement of the base member and, consequently the movement of the uprights 85 and 86, and other elements, to be presently described, supported thereby.

Extending vertically from the channel member 80 is a stud 88 which extends through the slot 87 and through a washer plate 89 which is positioned on top of the base member 84 and overhangs both edges thereof. Secured to the stud 88 is a lever 90 having a knob 9| on the outer end thereof. The stud 88 is threaded into the base member 84, and when the lever 90 is in its normal position the base member 84 is held against lateral movement due to the fact that the channel member 80, the base member 84, and the washer plate 89 are rigidly clamped together. However, when the lever 90 is turned in a clockwise direction, as seen in Figure 3, these members are no longer clamped, and the base member 84 may be moved laterally to any desired position, following which the lever 90 may be turned to clamp the members together and retain the adjustment.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 12, a lever 92 is pivotally mounted beneath the channel member 80 by means of a shouldered screw 93. This lever carries on its outer end a knob 94 and is linked to a plunger, not shown, which is adapted to bear against the movable rail 46. A second lever 95 is mounted beneath the channel member 80 in the same manner and in spaced relation to the lever 92. This lever carries a knob 96 and is linked to a second plunger, not shown, which is adapted to press against the rail 45. A spring 91 (Figure 12), has one end connected to the lever 92 and the other end connected to the lever 95, and is adapted to urge the plungers aforementioned into firm contact with the rails 46 and 45 respectively. When an operator grasps the knobs 94 and 96 and urges them toward each other, the plungers are released from engagement with the rails, and the channel member, and the other members supported thereby can be easily moved along on the rails 45 and 46.

Formed in the upright members 85 and 86 are aligned slots 85a and 86a respectively. Between the uprights is positioned a swingable front plate 98, and extending from the front plate through the slot 85a in the upright 85, i a stud 99 which carries on its outer threaded portion a short bar I 00 which forms a locking nut. 'A washer IOI is positioned on the stud between the locking bar I00 and the upright 85. Likewise, a second stud I02, carried by the front plate 98, extends through the slot 86a in the upright 86, and positioned on the threaded portion thereof is a washer I 03 and a locking bar I04. When the locking bars I00 and I04 are rotated to unclamp the front plate 98 it may be swung about the studs 99 and I02 as a gimbal and, when desired, the front plate 98 may be raised, in which event the studs 99 and I02, which form a working fit in the slots a and 86a, permit the front plate 98 to be raised to any desired level within the confines of the slots. When the front plate 98 is in a desired position the clamping bars I00 and I04 may be tightened to retain the plate in such position.

Positioned in the upright member 05, below the stud 99, is a thumb screw I05 which has a pointed end adapted to engage a socket formed in the flange of the front plate 98. Likewise positioned in the upright member 86, below the stud I02, is a second thumb screw I08 the point of which is adapted to engage a correspondin socket formed in the flange of the front plate 98.

Referring now to Figure 12, a bellows I8! has a flanged end portion I08 which is clamped between the front plate 98 and an inner plate I09 by means of screws IIO. Between the end portion I08 and the front plate 98 is a felt or other non-metallic gasket I08a having an opening therein substantially the same diameter as the opening I09a in the inner plate G89. The other end III, of the bellows, is clamped between an inner plate H2, and a plate H3 which is set into the camera back plate II 4 and secured therein by means of screws engaging tapped holes IE5 formed in the camera back plate IM (see also Figures 14 and 15).

Referring now to Figures 13 and 14, the camera back plate II4 has adjacent to the four corners thereof individual cups I I 6 mounted in holes formed therein. The outer ends of these cups are closed, and positioned within each cup is the outer end I I8 of the back tilt rod I I1 (Figure 16). The outer end II8 of this rod is of reduced diameter and has secured thereon a ball I I9 which is retained in position in the cup by means of a hole I20 formed in the plate H3 concentric with and smaller in diameter than the interior of the cup II 6. A spring I2I within the cup H5 bears against the ball I I 9 and urges it against the seat I20 formed in the plate I I3.

Formed within the camera body 29, adjacent to one corner thereof, is a boss I22 which has, as is best seen in Figure 16 and Figure 19, a hole I23 formed therein. Positioned within the hole I23 is a bushing I24 which is secured in the camera body by means of a set screw I25. The left end of the bushing I24 is rounded to form a portion of the socket for a hollow ball I28. Threadedly engaging the hole I23 from the left end, as seen in Figure 19, is a bushing I21, the inner end of which is also rounded to cooperate with the ball I26. The ball I26 has a hole I28 into which the rod I [1 forms a working fit. The ball I26 has a, longitudinal slot I29 formed therein and the point of a set screw I39 engages this slot to insure the proper orientation of the ball. Formed in the boss I22 with its axis at a right angle to the axis of the set screw I30, as may best be seen in Figures 10 and 16, is a clamping screw I3I having a tip I32 which engages the split ball I 26, and when the knurled knob I33 on the end of this clamping screw is turned, to

carrylthe screwLI 3 li inwardly theiball" I 26:is com Dressedxdue to the ..-fact that it is .splitatIZS andthereby therod -I I1 is clamped againstmovement; and due ,tothis novel structure .the surfaceof therod II 1 is ;not narred in anyway.

There are corresponding bosses in-theother four corners of the camera body 26/ and each contains rods, balls, etc, which are-duplicates of the one just described, and it is therefore -be-.

lieved'that the description of the others need not. be repeated.

Due to theball arrangement thecamera back, when-the-knobs I33 are..turned torelease, the rod; I I1,. may be tilted: to anydesireddegree and is.onlyrlimitedbythe lengths of the .rod' II1. In the end of "each rod I I1 is a screw I34, the head of which limits the movement of the rods II1 rearwardly, or to the leftas seen in Figure 3, to' a maximum point where. the head of the screw I34contacts the threaded bushing I21.

Referring now to Figures 12,13, 14 and 15, the revolving back I35 is generally rectangular, in form and has extending flanges I36, I 31,. I38, and I33, the outer peripheries of which are circular, and it has an opening I4Iformed therein which is generally rectangular and of 'a larger cross sectional area than the area of the ground. glass focusing screen to be presently described. The revolving back has its rear portion (theportion seen in Figure 13) a fiat surface I4I bounded on, one side by an upright web I42 and, on the left end, as seen in ,FigurelS, by a web I43 which is preferably continuous with the Web I42. Preferably-formed integral with the web I43 is a web I44'whichis-parallel to the web I42. These webs-form a socket into which a plate holder, film pack adapter, or cut film, holder, maybe positioned when a photograph is to be taken. A groove I45 formed in the surface I4I of the revolving back extends adjacent. to the right edge of the opening I49 from the web I42 to the web I44, and-is adapted to be engaged by a correspondingkeying projection on the plate holder film pack adapter or cut film holder when positioned in the photographing position whereby such holder is rigidly locked into the socket formed by the upright webs I42, I43, and I44.

As may be seen in Figure 15,- a hole I46=zis formed in the Web I44, and slidably mounted in this hole is a plunger I41 having a rounded end I48 which is adapted to engage registry holes formed in the cameraback plate I I4, one of said registry h01es being shown and designated by the, numeral I49. The plunger I41 is constantly urged toward the camera back plate II4:by means of aleaf spring I55; which is secured to the upper edge of the web I44 by means of screws II. The web I42 carries a like plunger and spring, and-the plunger is positioned diametrical 1y opposite the lunger I41. Since these elements are identical they are given the same numerals, as may be seen in Figure 13. On the opposite side of the revolving back, as may be seen in Figures 14 and, 15, an annular boss I52'is formed integral with the revolving back I35, and this boss extends into a corresponding hole I53 formed in-the camera back plate H4. The annular boss I52 has a depressed portion I54 which is curved in form, as may be seen in Figure 14. Threadedly engaging a hole formed in the depressed portion I54 is a screw I55, and a metal strip I53 embraces and lies upon the outer surface of the annular boss I52. This metallic strip has holes formed near each end thereof, and the screw I55" passes through saidholes so that when the; screw 1, I55: iSI screwed into. ts threaded'hole, its head; (which is preferably-a filister head) forces the ends. of the metallic strip between the depressed portion I54 and thereby theportion of the metallic strip in contact with the annular boss I52 is ti htened SO that the metallic strip moves .with the revolvin back.

Since the back plate I I4 and therevolving back I35 are madeof non-ferrous metals, the provision of the thin metallic strip, which in the present instance is preferably made of stainless steel, and since the metallic strip is tightly embracing the boss I52, the surface of the stainless steel strip forms a bearing. with the surfaceof the hole I53;formed in the back H4, therefore, by the use of dissimilar metals we obtain a smooth and perfect'bearing. 2

Before the revolving'back is mounted with the boss I52 and the strip I56thereon, engaging the surfaces .of the hole I53, a seating strip I5! is preferably cemented to the surface of, the back plate H4 adjacent to the hole I53jtherein, so that the flange portion I58 of the revolving back is cushioned'thereon. with a light-tight seal. After the revolving plate is assembled on to the back plate H4 with the boss and the embracin stainless steel strip I56'bearing in the, holel53 and the flange portion I58 bearing on the seating strip. I51,-the revolving back issecured thereon by means of a plurality of screws I54? and Washers I63. There isa Washer on each screw and the diameter of the washer is such that it overlaps the back plate. I Mas-each screw I59. is screwed into a corresponding threaded hole formed'in. the boss I 52. Insthe embodiment herein shown and'described weemploy 12 such screws and washers, but this is merely given by Way of example, as we can use as many as are deemed. necessary.

The plate .I I3 was previously described as set into the backv plate H4. This plate is set into a rectangular depression I6I with a sealing strip I62 therebetween. The sealing strip I62 and the seating strip I51 are preferably made of a non-metallic material and in the example given these strips are preferably made of felt.

Referring now to Figures 1, 3, 4, 5, l2, and '20, the spring back I63 includes a rectangular frame I64 having on one end thereof extended webs or tabs I65 and I66 which are-curved-outwardly as shown in Figure 20-to facilitate the insertion of a holder for the light sensitive medium. The spring I63 is normally positioned in contact with the, surface I4I of the revolving back, and is bounded by the sides I44, I43, and I56. The spring back has afilister head, screw I61 extending-laterally from one corner thereof, and in alignment therewith with the other corner on the same side isa second filister head screw I68. On-the opposite side of the spring back I63 is a filister head screw I69 which is preferably in axial alignment with the screw I61 and a second screw I16 which is preferably in alignment with the screw I68. These screws are mounted in corresponding threaded holes formed in the rectangular frame. A spring I1I, best seen in Figure 3, has a loop I12 formed on one end thereof embracing the shank ofthe screw I61. This loop, as-may be seen in Figure 3, is normally spaced apart from the screw I61. The spring I1I has a loop I13 formed on the other end'thereof embracing the shank of the screw I63. The reason for providing a space between the loop" I12 andthe shank of the screw I6! is that when a holder is inserted between the swinging back and the revolving back the space between the loop and the shank of the screw is decreased to a point where the loop just clears the screw I61 without binding. Overlying the spring MI is a reinforcing spring I14. The springs HI and I14 have spaced holes formed therein intermediate the ends thereof through which screws I15 extend and threadedly engage holes I16 formed in the web I42 of the revolving back (see Figure 13). The screws I69 and I have associated therewith springs HI and H14 which are identical with the ones just described, and the description need not here be repeated. These springs are designated by the same numerals, namely HI and I14 respectively, and they are secured to the web I44 on the revolving back by means of screws I engaging tapped holes I16 formed in said web.

The rectangular frame I64 of the swing back I 63 has upright webs I11 and I18 at opposite ends thereof and upright webs I19 and I80 on opposite sides thereof leaving therebetween a flat surface I8I, and the following describes one very important feature of the invention.

Formed within the rectangular frame I64, and terminating in the surface I8I is a rectangular opening I82 which forms a frame. Although the corners of the opening I82 are shown rounded as at I83, for example, it is obvious that the corners can be square, or any other desired shape without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Formed integral with the frame I64 and extending rearwardly from the surface I8I, is a plurality of bosses I84. The bosses I84 have portions thereof machined off to form flat surfaces or seats I85 which are spaced apart from the surface I8I. These seats form supports for the ground glass focusing screen I86, and when the focusing screen I86 is positioned on the seats or surfaces I85, there is a space I81 between the inner surface of the ground glass screw I86 and the surface I8I except where the bosses I84 appear. The upstanding portions of the bosses I84 serve to back up the edges of the-focusing screen and prevent it from moving in either direction.

The space I81 between the focusing screen I86 and the surface I8I provides space for air to enter or leave the bellows when the front standard carrying the lens is moved forward or backward on the carriage. For retaining the ground glass focusing screen I86 in position on the seats I85, oppositely disposed spring members I88 are provided. Each spring member consists of a straight portion I89, and angular end portions I99 and I9I are formed integral therewith. The portion I90 has a spring extension I92 with an eye on the end thereof through which a securing screw I93 passes and engages the rectangular frame I64. Formed integral with the portion I9I is a spring extension I94 which terminates in a loop through which a screw I95 passes to secure it to the frame I84. Since these holddown members are identical only one of them need be described, and they are oppositely disposed to engage opposite ends of the focusing screen. The straight portions I89 overlie the glass screen and when it is desired to remove the screen the straight portion of either one of the spring members may be lifted to disengage one end of the glass screen and permit it to be removed.

The spring back also carries a focusing screen which includes a rigid rectangular member I96 secured to the web I by means of a hinge I91. A second rigid rectangular member I98 is secured to the web I19 by means of a hinge I99. The hinges I91 and I99 are identical and since the details of the hinge I99 are shown in Figure 20, it is believed that a description of this hinge would sufiice for both of them. The hinge I99 consists of a member 2I6, and a member 2I1 with interlocking eye portions 2I8 and 2I9 respectively embracing a hinge pin 220. Eye portions are omitted to accommodate springs HI and 222. The springs 22I and 222 embrace the hinge pin 228 and have projecting ends which lie flat against the portions 2I6 and 2I1 and tend to urge the rigid rectangular member I98 to which the portion 2I6 is secured by means of screws 223, to an open position. Therefore, when the rectangular member I98 is moved to the closed position it is moved against the urge of these springs. A flexible rectangular member 200 joins the rigid members I96 and I98 and is secured to the web I18. A second flexible rectangular member 20I is secured to the web I11 and to the rigid rectangular members I96 and I98. The flexible members 200 and 20I may be made of fabric, leather, plastic or any other flexible material. Preferably these flexible members are pre-creased, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 12 and designated by the numerals 202 and 203 so that as the members I98 and I96 respectively are folded down fiat to close the focusing hood, the flexible members 200 and 2III fold flat underneath the rigid members I98 and I96 along the lines 202 and 203.

In order to retain the rigid members I98 and I96 (Figure 12) in the closed position, a catch button 204 is provided. This catch button includes a shank portion 205 which is limitedly slidable in a corresponding hole 285a formed in the rigid member I98. Secured to the catch hole 28:2 on the opposite face of the rigid member I98, is a Washer 206 having a groove 281 formed in the rim thereof. A spring 288 has a mid portion which engages the groove 201, and has U -shaped legs 2I0 and 2H formed integral therewith. On the end of the leg 2H is a hook portion 2I2 which engages a grooved boss 2I3 mounted on the rectangular member i98; likewise the outer end of the portion 2II has a hook portion 2I4 which engages a grooved boss 2I5 which is mounted on the member I98 in spaced relation to the boss 2I3. The spring 208 constantly urges the washer 206 and, consequently, the button 294 in the direction of the arrow. Since the button 294 has a beveled rim 204a the outer edge i96a of the rigid rectangular member I96 engages this beveled edge when the rigid members I98 and I respectively are folded down to close the focusing hood and, thereby, the button 284 is cammed against the urge of the spring 208, and as soon as the edge I95a passes the rim 284a and is in flat contact with the rectangular member 598, the button 204, under the urge of the spring 298, moves back to a position where the rim 29 3a overlies the edge I98a and thus the focusing hood is locked in the closed position. The operator may open the focusing hood by manually moving the button 204 against the urge of the spring 208, and the focusing hood immediately snaps to the open position shown in Figure 12, due to the urge of the springs in the hinges I91 and I99.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 12, the front plate 98 has a hole 224 formed therein and this 249 formed integral 'therewith.

estates hole "is larger mdiameter i than 'the hole 1119a and, ftherefore, "a portion" ofthe- "gasket 108a is uncovered. Communicating with the hole 224 is-a counterbored hole-225.

5 A round lens a board, Rge'nerally designated by a the numeral '226, has-a hole 22? therein to accornmodate a -lens"or a shutter carrying a lens. In Figure 12 the lens boar'dis shown without any lens mounted inthe hole- 22l,-while in Figure 2, ashutter 228, carrying a lens 229, is shown. lhe 'lens board 'differs f'rorn lens boards heretofore employedjin two ways: -(a) it is not aboard at -all; and, -(b)' instead of being square, or rectangular, it .is'round. On the rear face of the lens board 22% is a -boss 238 which forms'a working-fit+in the hole 224. This leaves 'the remainder of the-lens board thin, and adapted to -lie in the oounterbore portion 225. The front of the-lens bo'ardZZE has 'anarrow surface 231 which is slightlybelow the outer surface of the-- lens board "228, thereby making the thin fianse portion which lies in the counterbore 225, of a predetermined thickness.

When the lens board is in position, with'its boss portion in the hole 224-,the inner face of the boss 23 is in contact with the portion 'of the gasket H130. (which was previously described as uncovered), and forms a 'light tight joint. This light tight joint, together withthe light trapping effect of the counterbored or spaced holes, produces a joint which will not allowany light whatever to pass therethrough.

Referring now to Figure 2, the lens board is.

shown in position on the-front plate 93 and is retained thereon in a novel manner which permits almost instant removal and/ or replacement of the lens board.

Mounted on the front plate 98 and having tips overlyingthe counterbore 225, are spring "members 243, 24!, 242, and 243. The spring members are all identical, and carry in their tips depressions 244, as may be seen in Figures 8 andQ, which provide round nosed projections 245 011 the undersides thereof. These round nosed projections are adapted to engage the depressions 236, 237, 233, and 239, formed in the lens board 226. Each spring member is secured to the front plate 98 by means of a pair of spaced screws 245 adjacent to the outer edges thereof, and the spring members'24fl, 242, and 243 may be tensioned by means of hexagon head screws 24?. The screws 24? may be set'to pre-tension the spring members 240 and 242, and 243, and once having been set no further adjustment thereof is necessary. The spring member 24! is tensioned by means of a screw 248 having a thumb knob In removing the lens board the screw 248 is loosened by turning the knob 2497and releasing the tension on the spring member 24!. Following this the shutter may be grasped (referring toFigure Z) and the lens board is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction until the notches 232, 233, 234, and235,

are in alignment with the axes of the spring members 250, 24!, 242, and 243 respectively. Since the notches are larger than'the overhanging tips of the spring members the lens board may be freely removed'from the front plate'98. Now

in replacing the lens board, or'another identical lensbcard "(carryinga"difierenttype'orienaperhapS) the lnsbOafd-is meved into engagement "with" the -'oountrbbre 225 with the notches'so positioned that they-clear the tips of the Spring members 7 until the fiang'e l portion of the lens board is withinthe'countei'bore fl5: then the'lens board is rotated in -a 'clockwise directio'nnntil the rounded. under projections onthe spring members respectively "engage the depressions 236, 23l,f"-an'd' 239, following which the thumb "screw 249 maybe tightened and the lens board is'firmly mounted on the-iront plate 98 with -':a perfect light tight" joint. Mounted '0n"the top fiange of the'front p1ate'98by meansof screws 25l, is a bracket ZEU' (see Figuresla'nd 12). The bracket 25G carriesachannelinemben252 uponthe ends of which are mounted round end plates-253 and 254. .Within the channel 252isa leaf spring 255 which bearsagainst a square bar 256. "A wire finder 25l has ap'ortion 258 bearingin'the end wire finder also 'has atportion' 259 bearing inthe 'eiidiplate253'and' connected to the square-bar 256. The 'wirefinder has' 'vertical'sid'es Zed-and 26!, a horizontal topfportion'282, anda hori- The "spring 255 finder in theuprightposition shown in Figure 2,

and whenthe wire finder is swung in a' clockwise direction as seen in Figure 1,='and is extending vertically downward, the spring "255 "bearing against the square bar 256, maintains it irrthis posi'tion.

Mounted onzthe: top of the camera body 20*is "a peep' sight" 265 which includes a'' bracket 264 secured to'the "camera 'top' "by means of" screws 2%. A: pivot pin-261 "(see Figure 12) hassecured "thereto'an' upright plate 268, the' lower end "269 ofwhich partially embraces "iand "is secured *to the pin Zfil. "When-the" plate 268 "-is' vertical the portion 269 horizontal. 'Positicr'iedwithin' the bracket 2641s a spring 220 which bearsupward- 1y against the fiat'sui-face =ofthe portion 269. rMountedon' "the upper end of the'plate 268= is'a sight. plate 2H- having arectangularopening 212 a formed :therein -so that" when the peep sight and the wire finder are in the positions shown-in 1 Figure 12;; the 1 operator may look through the ropening22 12* and see within the -boundar'ies of the *wirefinder the subjectito be photographed.

-When not in use, the' peep "sight may be folded *down-againstthe fiat-surface of'the car'nerabody (in- 2: clockwisedirection "as seen in Figure-'12) 'dntil" 'arpoi'nt is reached where the' spring "2T0 rbe'ars against theend of'the portion "269 and ethe'reby the peep-sightis retained-flatagainst "the ca'inera'body.

Referring now to Figure 3; a" stop 2 I 3 straddles the movable rail: 15 and is secured 'thereto' by means' of screws 214. "A likestop- 215-straddles the rail 46 and 'issecured'thereto by rneans of screws 276. Secured" to the stop-215 by means 'of' aiscreW -"Z'H', intermediate the screws- 216, is -a" plate*-'2l8marrying a pointer 2'19, "and this p'oiiiter cooperates v'vith' a scale 280 mounted on the camera-bedsothat the camera-maybe set by rotating' the focusing 'knobs '6 I' -or -'62'-for sub- "j'e'cts known "distances away from the lens -'of' the era. l ariyinghandle '28 i" is formed of a leather is a loop 285, and between the portions 232'iand member 287 and this ring member is in turn engaged by a bracket 288 secured to the side of the camera body. A ring member 289 is engaged by the loop 286 and is also engaged with a snap hook 299 mounted on the bottom of the camera body 20. The hook member 299, as may be seen in Figures 1 and 4, is secured to the bottom of the camera body by means of screws 29L A boss (Figure 5) 292, formed in the lower surface of the camera body 20, has a tapped hole 293 formed therein, and this threaded hole is adapted to be engaged by a screw .in a tripod when it is desired to mount the camera on a tripod. The camera body also carries on the lower surface thereof a plurality of feet 294 which may be formed of rubber or the like, set into suitable holes formed in the base of the camera body 20. The drop bed 22 has a depression 295 formed therein, and the outer boundary 296 of this depression is in the form of a ring or circular band, which forms part of the trim when the camera is closed. In connection with the trim, all corners and edges of the outer surfaces of the camera are set above the surfaces upon which the leather or other non-metallic trim is mounted. For example, in Figure 1, the edges 29! and 298 show the metal of which the camera body 20 is formed. The surfaces of these edges are substantially flush with the surface of the trim 299.

Another example is in connection with the me tallic knobs 133. Looking at these knobs endwise, as in Figure 1, a metallic band 300 bounds a depressed portion in which the leather trim 30! is mounted, and this trim is substantially level with the surface of the band 300. portant in view of the fact that the leather, or other trim material, is subject to wear, in use, and by leaving the corners and portions of the camera which receive the greatest contact Wear, uncovered by the leather or the like, the metal receives the brunt of the wear and is capable of withstanding such wear.

The above described. camera is sturdy, yet light. It is easy to handle and is extremely flexible, and is particularly adapted to what is believed to be a greater variety of different applications than any other camera we know of.

Although we have herein described and shown by way of example one embodiment of our new and improved camera, it is obvious that many changes may be made in the arrangements shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the following claim.

What is claimed is:

In a camera, a body, a back plate on said body,

This is imi4 tween said lens support and said back plate, a generally rectangular opening formed in said back plate, a plurality of supporting bosses disposed in spaced relation about all sides of said opening, each of said bosses being stepped to provide on each boss a supporting step and an overhanging step, said supporting steps being on a common level, a rectangular focusing screen supported on said steps and confined against lateral movement in either direction on the plane of said steps by said overhanging steps, and spring means oppositely disposed on said back plate engagin said screen and retaining it on said supporting steps, the spaces between s id bosses and the edges of said plate and said screen defining areas through which air may pass laterally into and from said bellows as said lens is moved along said bed.

VICTOR YAGER.

JACOB WOERMANN.

CES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 169,702 Howson Nov. 9, 1875 283,589 Flammang Aug. 21, 1883 307,965 Lewis Nov. 11, 1884 342,212 Lewis May 18, 1886 712,302 Hutchings Oct. 28, 1902 716,108 Robertson et a1. Dec. 16, 1902 736,214 Case Aug. 11, 1903 755,680 Locke Mar. 29, 1904 862,883 Conley Aug. 13, 1907 883,895 Leighly Apr. 7, 1908 900,526 Hall Oct. 6, 1908 1,001,386 Goddard Aug. 22, 1911 1,060,748 Folmer May 6, 1913 1,219,601 Bornmann Mar. 20, 1917 1,356,595 Bordigon Oct. 26, 1920 1,833,459 Green Nov. 24, 1931 1,885,286 Petit et al. Nov. 1, 1932 1,937,057 Dieke et al Nov. 28, 1933 1,984,544 Pearlrnan Dec. 18, 1934 2,005,417 Fuerst June 17, 1935 2,017,823 Taylor Oct. 15, 1935 2,136,149 Nuchterlein Nov. 8, 1938 2,233,352 Steiner Feb. 25, 1941 2,260,991 Gorey Oct. 28, 1941 2,264,777 Steiner Dec. 2, 1941 2,326,025 Gillon et al. Aug. 3, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 372,380 Germany May 24, 1932 

